Chapter 1: The Universe's Composition

In our exploration of the cosmos, we often ponder whether the universe is predominantly "empty" or remarkably "full."

To set the mood for this discussion, enjoy the accompanying music from the following clip while you read.

The inception of our universe, often referred to as the Big Bang, sparks a myriad of questions about energy and matter. I have previously suggested that this event signifies a transfer of energy and information, reminiscent of a hologram.

Many scientists adhere to the principle that "nothing is lost; everything is conserved," particularly in terms of energy—an invariant in our universe. Energy cannot simply vanish; it can only shift forms.

Thus, the total energy content of our universe is believed to consist of approximately 26.6% "universal energy" and 68% "dark energy." This leads to the startling realization that a mere 0.5% constitutes "ordinary matter."

Delving deeper into this ordinary matter reveals further surprises. Of this small fraction, about 99.95% consists of protons, with electrons making up a mere 0.05%. Protons themselves are composed of quarks and gluons, fundamental particles that interact through strong nuclear forces.

Calculating the distribution of these particles presents significant challenges due to the duality of mass and energy. The mass-energy equivalence suggests that matter can transform into energy and vice versa, complicating our understanding of their proportions.

From a scientific perspective, the parton distribution function helps quantify momentum within protons, showing that around 55% is made up of gluons, while up and down quarks each comprise about 23%.

Consequently, quarks—the tangible constituents of matter—account for just 45% of what we classify as "matter."

The remaining 0.5% of ordinary baryonic matter contains less than half of quarks, as their mass-energy and interaction energy are interdependent, leading to the need for rigorous scientific inquiry.

Why embark on this intricate scientific journey? It’s essential to establish the distinction between the atoms of matter and those of antimatter, a differentiation that becomes crucial as we explore the universe's early moments.

The clash between matter and antimatter is often depicted as a titanic struggle, with most matter annihilating itself upon contact with antimatter. This dynamic is reflective of a broader principle: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

As scientists probe deeper into dark energy and dark matter, they recognize these elusive components are omnipresent, shaping our universe's very fabric.

Surprisingly, prevailing theories suggest that our universe’s density is primarily derived from dark matter—potentially the very source of all material existence. This perception of the vacuum as densely packed with dark matter contrasts starkly with the notion of an empty universe.

To emphasize this point, current quantum theories posit that the vacuum teems with fluctuations, serving as the bedrock of reality.

Returning to the physicists' language, the concept of renormalization plays a pivotal role in understanding the universe's density.

There are two categories of infinities in physics: the negligible and the dangerously large. Renormalization seeks to eliminate the latter, introducing fundamental constants to yield finite values.

Using Planck length, a fundamental limit in our universe, researchers have quantified vacuum density to an astonishing 10^93 grams per cubic centimeter. This staggering figure suggests that our universe is far from empty; rather, it is overwhelmingly dense.

In contrast, some scientists assert that the total mass density of the universe hovers between 4.5 x 10^-28 and 9.9 x 10^-27 kilograms per cubic meter, yet they describe the universe as expanding into emptiness.

Nevertheless, perceiving space as either empty or full is misleading. The reality is that dark matter and energy are intricately woven into the very fabric of existence.

As we transition to the next segment of our discussion, it's vital to recognize that the universe's energy transitioned to a state of combination, wherein dark matter and ordinary matter began to coalesce.

Scientific estimates suggest that for every billion particles of antimatter, there exists a billion plus one of matter. This asymmetry allowed the formation of everything in our universe today.

The remnants of matter that did not cancel out with antimatter contributed to an energetic release, further shaping our reality.

Recent findings indicate that dark matter mirrors the structure of ordinary matter, providing the foundational support needed for our universe's stability.

As we delve deeper into the implications of these findings, we will unpack how these energy entities influence the ongoing evolution of our universe.

Chapter 2: The Moment of Creation

As we explore the universe's early moments, scientists reveal that at the point of the Big Bang, primitive particles began to coalesce into the first atoms.

The interplay between matter and antimatter catalyzed this process, driven by interactions with dark matter.

At this juncture, the universe is said to be expanding at an extraordinary rate, with energy redistribution fostering the emergence of the first atoms—an evolution that would ultimately lead to the cosmos as we understand it today.

This journey through the cosmos will continue in the next segment. Until then, embrace love and understanding.

Merticaru Dorin Nicolae

This text is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, "The Beginnings." If you appreciate this content and wish to support future endeavors, consider subscribing to my notifications on Medium. Thank you for your interest!